The resource I’m featuring today is a downloadable program that must be installed on your computer. It is a program, however, with exciting Web 2.0 characteristics. The creators of Scratch have provided an online platform for sharing whatever you create. Speaking of the creators, they call themselves the “Lifelong Kindergarten Group” at MIT. It seems that we have some so-called adults who have figured out a brilliant way to play all day and get paid for it.
Scratch (downloadable program) This is one of the most exciting free programs I’ve come across in a long time. Scratch enables a user to create interactive computer animations, games, art, music, and digital stories. Creating these programs and activities is as easy as snapping Lego blocks together onscreen. Scratch creations, however, can range from basic to complex and sophisticated.
Although the program has been designed as a “programming language” for children, it can also be used to create activities for children. I didn’t have as much time to explore as I would have liked, but it was enough to discover that I could easily create custom math activities for some of the special needs children that I support.
The color-coded interlocking building blocks for putting together programs include blocks for: motion; control; looks; sensing; sound; numbers; pen (drawing and stamping); variables. Many of the individual blocks can be programmed to offer an infinite range of possibilities. The Scratch user interface, pictured below, is straightforward and intuitive. Blocks are simply dragged from the panel on the left and dropped into the middle panel, where they are fitted together. What you see in the middle panel is the program for the activity that can be seen on the right. You do have the option of making the activities full screen.
Programming with Scratch requires a significant learning curve. I suspect that in most instances it should not be introduced much before the middle school level.
The “Scratchers” at MIT, however, have provided some very helpful video and pdf resources to help get started. These can be accessed via the program’s Help menu or from the Scratch website. Perhaps the best way of learning to use Scratch, however, is by looking at how others have put their programs together. When you download and open a Scratch activity, you can see exactly how it has been made. In fact, you can make your own modifications to create variations and new activities. For those with limited access to the internet, Scratch comes with a significant range of sample activities.
